05 October 2007

Tim Hardaway Becomes an Advocate for Gay and Trans Youth

At the same time national LGBT organizations and the gay and lesbian community have become embroiled in a major split over the passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act without transgender protections, an unlikely person has emerged as an ally to trans youth: Tim Hardaway.

The former professional basketball player is much more infamous for telling a Miami radio station "I hate gay people, I am homophobic". That was eight months ago and apparently the formerly popular athlete has spent much of that time soul-searching. Hardaway has now become a volunteer at the YES Institute, a children's advocacy group based in South Miami and recently helped lead a discussion on safety and transgender youth. "He was so genuine,'' said Martha Fugate, the director of the YES Institute. "He gave the perfect answer."

There he was, in a classroom with about 40 people, mostly
strangers and some of them gay, talking about the importance of
education and awareness - pointing to himself as the perfect example of
how attitudes can be reshaped with a little bit of knowledge.

"I just wanted to go in and get educated, that's all. Get educated
on what I said and why I said those things,'' Hardaway [told] The Associated Press. "I'm working on understanding
it now. I'm not really trying to make amends. I've been there trying to
get help.''

Hardaway's photo now appears on the groups website and his presence "is so valued [the YES Institute] released a letter earlier this month touting the work
Hardaway has done."

Tim Hardaway's 180 degree turn on gay rights and homophobia—albeit contrived or genuine—is commendable. It's probably better to adopt a wait and see approach and watch him over the long term, but, if it's a genuine conversion, Hardaway could become a powerful role model. Who says a leopard can't change his spots?

When people to these supposed 180 turn arounds I always wonder if they really mean it. Like everytime somebody says something that offends them and there is a backlash they always apologize, seek counseling, etc and then say "I learned from my mistakes." But do they really mean it or are only saying it to get back in people's good graces. I also think we as America public are too damn sensitive. The moment somebody says something offensive the public wants their head. Get over it. I mean we have freedom of speech, people can say whatever the hell they want to say offensive or not. The Klan can call me a nigger all they want but so long as they don't put their hands on me or anything then I'm fine. It's not what somebody calls you but it's what you answer to.

Actually, with gay prejudice, you have people who hate their gay kids. So, this is not about free speech. We can't compare the kkk to black parents hating their own children. Free speech and genocide speech are two different things. Tim Hardaway did the right thing. I believe in forgiveness. We got to stop gay prejudice in our black communities in order for it to survive.

Does it really matter is one does the right thing for the wrong reason, or from wrong motivation?

Hardaway is doing the right thing. Who are we to second guess his motives -- especially since almost no black gay celebrities are willing to come out of the closet, even when their gayness is obvious to the world (not slinging mud at Queen 'I haven't found the right brotha' Latifah, I'm just saying).

So this a good thing. And even if his change of heart is somewhat contrived, his support of the trans community (a group even some gay men have problems accepting) will eventually open his mind to the humanity of the people he's disparaged.